- Rema, born Divine Ikubor on 1 May 2000 in Benin City, was signed by Mavin in 2019 after viral freestyles.
- The remix of “Calm Down” with Selena Gomez peaked at number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.
- He describes his style as afro-rave, a mix of Afrobeats, trap and pop.
The short answer
Rema is one of the youngest artists to reach the top of the global charts with an African sound. He blends Afrobeats with trap, hip-hop and pop, and calls the result afro-rave. His song “Calm Down” became one of the biggest crossover hits in the history of Afrobeats and made him a household name far beyond Nigeria.
Early life
Divine Joshua Ikubor was born on 1 May 2000 in Benin City, Edo State, into a Christian family. He sang and rapped in secondary school, and he first attracted attention through videos of freestyles recorded in cars. The videos reached Don Jazzy, the founder of Mavin Records, who signed him in 2019.
The breakthrough
- 2019: his self-titled EP featured “Dumebi” and “Iron Man”. “Iron Man” appeared on a summer playlist shared by Barack Obama.
- February 2022: “Calm Down” was released as a single.
- March 2022: his debut album Rave & Roses followed.
- August 2022: a remix with Selena Gomez sent the song to a worldwide audience.
How big was “Calm Down”?
| Achievement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Billboard Hot 100 | The remix peaked at number 3 |
| US Afrobeats Songs chart | A record 58 weeks at number one |
| MTV Video Music Awards 2023 | Won Best Afrobeats |
| Spotify | Passed one billion streams in November 2024 |
For more on how chart numbers are counted, read how music charts work.
What afro-rave means
- Afrobeats rhythms mixed with heavier trap and hip-hop beats.
- Melodic, catchy hooks that work in clubs and on radio.
- Lyrics mainly in English and Pidgin.
- A fashionable, confident image that matches the sound.
Other releases
- Rave & Roses (2022): debut album that reached number 81 on the Billboard 200.
- Ravage (2023): a follow-up EP.
- Ongoing singles and collaborations with artists around the world.
Why he matters
Rema shows that a young artist from outside Lagos can reach a worldwide audience. His success also helped bring more attention to the Mavin label, which also launched Ayra Starr. His approach, mixing styles without worrying about labels, is shaping how new artists think about how Afrobeats went global.
Lessons for new artists
- Posting your talent online can open doors.
- Be clear about the sound you are creating.
- Treat a global hit as a starting point, not an endpoint.
- Plan releases to follow a breakthrough. See a simple release strategy for your next single.
Career timeline
- 2000: born in Benin City.
- 2019: signs with Mavin Records and releases “Iron Man” and “Dumebi”.
- 2022: releases Rave & Roses and the global hit “Calm Down”.
- 2022: the Selena Gomez remix of “Calm Down” expands the song’s reach.
- 2024: releases HEIS.
Where to start listening
- “Dumebi”: the song that introduced him to many fans.
- “Iron Man”: an early statement of his style.
- “Calm Down”: the global hit, in both the original and the remix.
- Rave & Roses: the debut album.
Common questions
- What is Afro-rave? It is Rema’s name for his mix of Afrobeats with rap, trap and dance-music energy.
- Which label signed him? Mavin Records, in 2019.
- Is “Calm Down” his only hit? No, but it is the song that took him to the widest audience.
Quick facts
- Born 1 May 2000 in Benin City
- Signed to Mavin in 2019
- Rave & Roses released on 25 March 2022
- Calm Down remix peaked at number 3 on the Hot 100
- Calls his style afro-rave
Key points to remember
Rema’s rise shows how quickly one song can change a career. Facts in this profile were checked against reference sources in October 2026. Chart positions, awards and release dates can change, so check official pages for the latest details. Read about another Mavin star in our profile of Ayra Starr.
